The Hungry Horse and Columbia Falls communities are mourning the loss of Sarah Lacoursiere, a Hungry Horse Fire department board member and school bus driver who died after a courageous battle with a rare form of cancer last week.

Friend Kelly Lundie has set up a GoFundMe account to help her husband, Justin, and the couple’s three young children after the loss of their mother.

Lundie owns the Wild Child Food Truck and Lacoursiere was one of her first customers when she was starting out in just a tent. They grew to be friends over the years.

Lundie recalled Lacoursiere was a giving soul.

“Anyone she could help she would help out,” Lundie said Monday.

The Lacoursieres live in Hungry Horse. Justin is a volunteer firefighter and assistant chief with the department. 

“She faithfully served on the fire department board and also drove for and managed Treasure State Bus Company, ensuring that countless children throughout our valley were transported to and from school and activities safely each day,” the fire department said on its Facebook page. “Her strength, dedication, and compassion for others made a lasting impact on all who knew her. Our hearts are with Justin, their children, and all of Sarah’s family and friends. We ask that you keep them and our fire department family in your thoughts and prayers as we mourn this tremendous loss together.”

“Sarah lived for her three precious children Avalynn, Olivia, and Lawson. (8, 6, and 4) and her wonderful bonus daughter Kaylee. They were her greatest joy, her proudest accomplishment, and the reason she fought so hard through this long, painful journey with cancer. Since last spring, Sarah has battled this ugly disease with faith, grace, and a selflessness that never wavered,” Lundie said on the GoFundMe page. ”If you knew Sarah, you know this to be true: she lived to make everyone else’s life easier. Looking back through her text messages, there is a constant theme — offering help, checking in, showing up — even while she herself was hurting so deeply.”

A memorial service for Lacoursiere is 2:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Glacier Bible Camp Tabernacle in Hungry Horse.

If folks want to help they can visit the GoFundMe page at: www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-sarah-by-caring-for-the-family-she-loved